Monday, December 22, 2008
VALPARAISO - SANTIAGO CHILE
The sailing is over we arrived at Valparaiso today. We were up early and off the ship about 8:30 as it was a 2hr drive to Santiago, we decided to take one of the tours that would drop us off at the hotel. It was mainly a bus ride with a couple of stops for lunch and a winery tour. They did give us a short tour through the city of Santiago. Lots of buildings to see with great history behind them. Tomorrow we hope to take a cab or tour bus to get a better look at the city. Will try to take and post some pictures.
PUERTO MOTT, CHILE
PUERTO MOTT, CHILE
DECEMBER 19
After our three day sale we finally arrived at our next port of call "Puerto Mott" our planned tour was not in the town. We had set a trip that took us to Lake Esmeralda named for its Emerald colour water caused by sediment coming of the local volcano’s. A trip down the lake on a catamaran after which we went to Petrohue falls. This was followed by a drive thru the contry side ending up in Puerto Vareas, for lunch at a nice restaurant on lake Lianquihue one of the largest lakes in Chile. Of all the trips we took this was the least interesting of all trips. The volcanos though dormant were quite interesting. The last one to erupt was in 1982. Clouds covered the tops the whole time we were there.
As this was my birthday Ray took me out for dinner as usual we ate too much.
DEC 16 - 18
CRUSING
December 16 -18
After leaving Punta Arenas, we cruised into the Strait of Magellan which was a very scenic trip with land close on either side other the mountains and hills not a lot to see. We had two days of sailing ahead of us which changed when we were advised by the captain that we were turning around and heading back to help a ship in distress. It was a small Russian ship with 150 on board its engine room had flooded and they were adrift with no power. It was close to 2am when we arrived on site. They had drifted very close to land and had been able to drop anchor which managed to catch a shoal. As the anchor was holding our ship stood by until a tug arrived to tow. By this time it was about 9 am and we started back north, our stop at Puerto Chacabuco was cancelled we now still had a two day cruise ahead of us to Puerto Mott, Chile. After leaving the Straits of Magellan we got into the rough waters that we had heard about. Not big waves but about 12 - 15 feet enough to make us watch our step when walking around the ship. We did find the dining room on deck 5 mid ship was the place to have our dinner. We were told so much about the rough waters around the Cape and we only had mild chop. Neither Ray or I got sick but it was not comfortable I thought sleeping might be a challenge but not so I slept well
December 16 -18
After leaving Punta Arenas, we cruised into the Strait of Magellan which was a very scenic trip with land close on either side other the mountains and hills not a lot to see. We had two days of sailing ahead of us which changed when we were advised by the captain that we were turning around and heading back to help a ship in distress. It was a small Russian ship with 150 on board its engine room had flooded and they were adrift with no power. It was close to 2am when we arrived on site. They had drifted very close to land and had been able to drop anchor which managed to catch a shoal. As the anchor was holding our ship stood by until a tug arrived to tow. By this time it was about 9 am and we started back north, our stop at Puerto Chacabuco was cancelled we now still had a two day cruise ahead of us to Puerto Mott, Chile. After leaving the Straits of Magellan we got into the rough waters that we had heard about. Not big waves but about 12 - 15 feet enough to make us watch our step when walking around the ship. We did find the dining room on deck 5 mid ship was the place to have our dinner. We were told so much about the rough waters around the Cape and we only had mild chop. Neither Ray or I got sick but it was not comfortable I thought sleeping might be a challenge but not so I slept well
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
PUNTA ARENAS, CHILE
Monday 15 December - Punta Arenas
This morning we awoke at anchor in the bay at Punta Arena, the sun was shining again. We started the morning with a sit down breakfast and a relaxing get ready, just a little too relaxing though
, as when we got to our meeting point the tour director was waiting for us, we were late! We met our tour guide who spoke English very well, he is an english teacher here in Punta Arenas. It seem different to hear him talking about school being out for summer, it is Xmas time. One of our first education is that there are a lot of dogs in the city and that there is no control over dogs, no
dog catchers and dogs do what they want on the street. Yes there was sex education on the street, Doggy Style. Punta Arena is a city of aprox 150k people and down town is very busy. We had our history lessons and visited what were a couple of home of the upper class from the past that were now historical sites and museums.
After Julieo left us we were on our own to walk about town, we went to the top of the local hill where we had a good look out over the city and the bay where the Sun was at anchor. We next toured around the town square and looked over the markets set up to try catch the tourists with souvenirs and Alpacka sweaters which were a very good price. We did not break down and buy.
At this time we have left Punta Arenas and are cruising towards Magenlan Straits and from what we are told to expect some great scenery. The next two day are cruisi
ng so we can sleep in.
In talking to the waiters at dinner we have been told that the weather on this trip has been great which we can attest to. The last trip was very cold and rainy and the waters were very rough. So much so that some of the tours had to be canceled. Our trip so far has been excellent both in weather and cuising conditions. Our fingers are crossed for the rest of the trip.
This morning we awoke at anchor in the bay at Punta Arena, the sun was shining again. We started the morning with a sit down breakfast and a relaxing get ready, just a little too relaxing though
, as when we got to our meeting point the tour director was waiting for us, we were late! We met our tour guide who spoke English very well, he is an english teacher here in Punta Arenas. It seem different to hear him talking about school being out for summer, it is Xmas time. One of our first education is that there are a lot of dogs in the city and that there is no control over dogs, no dog catchers and dogs do what they want on the street. Yes there was sex education on the street, Doggy Style. Punta Arena is a city of aprox 150k people and down town is very busy. We had our history lessons and visited what were a couple of home of the upper class from the past that were now historical sites and museums.After Julieo left us we were on our own to walk about town, we went to the top of the local hill where we had a good look out over the city and the bay where the Sun was at anchor. We next toured around the town square and looked over the markets set up to try catch the tourists with souvenirs and Alpacka sweaters which were a very good price. We did not break down and buy.
At this time we have left Punta Arenas and are cruising towards Magenlan Straits and from what we are told to expect some great scenery. The next two day are cruisi
ng so we can sleep in.In talking to the waiters at dinner we have been told that the weather on this trip has been great which we can attest to. The last trip was very cold and rainy and the waters were very rough. So much so that some of the tours had to be canceled. Our trip so far has been excellent both in weather and cuising conditions. Our fingers are crossed for the rest of the trip.
GLACIERS ON THE BEAGLE CHANNEL
Contrast on some of the pics is not great as this was a cloudy day. It will give you and idea what the glaciers in this area look like. They were more impressive to the eye.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
USHAUAIA, ARGENTINA
Sunday Dec 14 - USHAUAIA, ARGENTINA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ushuaia
We awoke to sun
ny skies and a fairly warm temperature. Today was our day to golf at the End of the World course. Breakfast was about 6:30 am as we had to be ready to leave the ship at 7:45. On our way to the golf course Melina our guide gave us information that made us very happy. The average number of days of "25" and we had one of them, the average high temperature would be 10 - 12C, we got above that.
Golfing was in what I would call a cow pasture (fairways were not mowed, I think they must put out the sheep) trees were not removed from the fairway so had to shoot over or around, I am sure that my time was spent under them.
Ushuaia was a very new clean town with none of the usual slum looking area as the town is just a little over 20 years as we saw it. The original settlers arrived about 1894. The main industry is fishing, electronics manufacturing, plastics, textiles and gas/petroleum. A very progressive and impressive city. The locals say it is the most southerly city in the world.
Our stay was very short, we were set to sail at 2pm but it took a while to get our port clearance. We are now on our way up the Beagle Channel. There are 7 major glaciers we will see as well as a number of smaller ones on our way to Puerto Arenas. Now it is time to kick back put up the feet and rest some more.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ushuaia
We awoke to sun
ny skies and a fairly warm temperature. Today was our day to golf at the End of the World course. Breakfast was about 6:30 am as we had to be ready to leave the ship at 7:45. On our way to the golf course Melina our guide gave us information that made us very happy. The average number of days of "25" and we had one of them, the average high temperature would be 10 - 12C, we got above that.Golfing was in what I would call a cow pasture (fairways were not mowed, I think they must put out the sheep) trees were not removed from the fairway so had to shoot over or around, I am sure that my time was spent under them.
Ushuaia was a very new clean town with none of the usual slum looking area as the town is just a little over 20 years as we saw it. The original settlers arrived about 1894. The main industry is fishing, electronics manufacturing, plastics, textiles and gas/petroleum. A very progressive and impressive city. The locals say it is the most southerly city in the world.
Our stay was very short, we were set to sail at 2pm but it took a while to get our port clearance. We are now on our way up the Beagle Channel. There are 7 major glaciers we will see as well as a number of smaller ones on our way to Puerto Arenas. Now it is time to kick back put up the feet and rest some more.
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